[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference moira::parenting_v3

Title:	Parenting
Notice:	READ 1.27 BEFORE WRITING
Moderator:	CSC32::DUBOIS

Created:	Wed May 30 1990
Last Modified:	Tue May 27 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	1364
Total number of notes:	23848

46.0. "Romanian adoption--need network help" by WFOV11::MOKRAY () Wed Jun 20 1990 16:35

    For those of you who may have been following the Romanian adoption
    saga, I returned from Bucharest last Friday after experiencing both
    the demonstrations in the streets and the miners, who were indeed
    intimidating. The reason for going, to return with a child, was
    not achieved, because all paperwork seems to be bogged down, with
    very poor communication. For anyone who has dealt in that part of
    the world you probably know what I was up against.  Anyhow, Channel
    5 WCVB has been following the story of the Massachusetts women trying
    to adopt.  Last week they had an interview with Jessica Bethony,
    from Lexington, who had somehow convinced an orphanage director
    to let the child, Violeta, out of the orphanage, to stay with her
    and her husband.  Violeta is wonderful, about 2.5 and eating a lot.
    When they brought her (briefly) back to the orphanage, she immediately
    started crying.  
    
    My child is still in the orphanage.  WCVB interviewed me today.
    US has cut off all aid to Romania except for humanitarian purposes.
    They did not attend the confirmation of the new  President, Iliescu
    as a protest.  
    
    If anyone knows anybody especially, who can exert influence, please
    let me know, or just do it.  I've called Kennedy's office and my
    congressman's, Silvio Conti.  They are both going to write letters.
    But I just want to get this cleared up and Daniela home, soon. 
    
    Adopting from Romania is in no way the typical foreign adoption
    as there are no processes and a semi-revolution is in progress.
    I do not recommend at this time that anyone begin the process of
    going over there.  When present dossiers are cleared up, they will
    probably rewrite laws.  At that time, I'll be happy to share the
    contacts (honest ones only) I've developed.  But anyone who knows
    anyone important to help on this, please pull in a favor.

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
46.1		WFOV11::BRODOWSKI		`Wed Jun 20 1990 16:50`	4
	Hi Joan, I do not know of anyone who could help you futher - I just wanted to wish all the luck with the adoption of your little girl. Denise
46.2	Public officials love publicity....	MPO::GILBERT	Too much month at the end of the money	`Wed Jun 20 1990 19:58`	10
	Contact Senator John Kerry's office. He's running for re-election and could use some good publicity. Since you were interviewed by WCVB make sure you let his aides know that this could be a "media opportunity" because local media is following your story. Also contact U.S. Representative Chester Atkins. Let him know the same thing. He has some very powerful friends in the House. I have a couple of contacts at the State level and will be speaking to them anyway over the next couple of days. I will see what I can do. Mike
46.3	We're with you	VAXUUM::FONTAINE		`Thu Jun 21 1990 13:08`	13
	re: .0, I watched your interview with channel 5 last night. I was moved; I realize that "moved" doesn't get the job done - that is of helping get the children over here - but I'll certainly take whatever opportunities I have open to me to help you. Your child is very precious, and hopefully other people watching the interview will "act" on your behalf. Good luck on the road ahead, Nancy
46.4	Thinking of you	FSHQA1::EDAVIDSON		`Thu Jun 21 1990 13:29`	11
	I've been thinking about you since we talked on the phone, and hoping you were OK in Romania. I'm so sorry you were not able to bring Daniela home with you! It must be very difficult for you to think about leaving her there in those circumstances! I don't know anyone influential, but would agree that Kerry might be willing to help (for the public image boost). Best of luck on this -- thinking of you. Liz
46.5	Kerry connections out there?	WFOV11::MOKRAY		`Fri Jun 22 1990 17:19`	5
	People keep suggesting Kerry, but I get the run around every time I call his office. Are there any in's out there? Thank you for the kind words. It's hard waiting and not knowing and not being able to do as much as we're all usually able to do.
46.6	Presidential signature came through	WFOV11::MOKRAY		`Tue Jun 26 1990 16:25`	21
	I finally got word at 2am over the weekend that we had the presidential signature. Friends are going over to Bucharest Wednesday, arriving Thursday, with power of attorney. I hope that within a couple of weeks, they may be able to put Daniela on a plane to the US. I really appreciate all the support and kind words; at this time, Congressman Conti was the only politician who came through. Now all the work is in Romania and I'm counting on my deputy in parliament there to pull whatever strings he can to make it go smoothly. He told my Romanian friend on Saturday, "No problem". Tonight's news will have pictures of Jessica Bethony and her new daughter Juliana, who just returned. They were over there when I was and just got home a few days ago. WCVB, CHannel 5, again. The network on Romanian adoptions extends out from DEC to include all women and families interested in adopting. It's truly amazing what effective networking and helping each other can do. Again, thanks to all of you who offered ideas and help on getting the US to influence. That turns out to be a lot like getting an elephant to do what he/she doesn't want to do. Donkeys too. No reason not to be politically fair on that one.
46.8		LARVAE::WATSON_C	Blooming...marvellously!!	`Wed Jun 27 1990 09:40`	11
	YYYYEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!! That's great news! Your patience and goodness have surely been rewarded! All the very best to your family!!! Chris :-)
46.9		TCC::HEFFEL	That was Zen; This is Tao.	`Wed Oct 24 1990 18:54`	30
	Thought I'd cross post this here. Tracey <<< MOMCAT::PIGGY:[NOTES$LIBRARY]WOMANNOTES-V3.NOTE;3 >>> -< Topics of Interest to Women >- ================================================================================ Note 437.7 Romanian Children 7 of 7 TCC::HEFFEL "That was Zen; This is Tao." 18 lines 24-OCT-1990 15:45 -< An address for more info >- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Perhaps this should go in the true confessions note, but... I sometimes read People Magazine. :-) Apparently they had an article on Romanian adoption a few weeks ago, because this was in the letter column from a recent issue: "Your article on our adoption of Brittany in Romania was a heartwarming success . We've recevied calls from people offering support and many who are interested in adopting children themselves. Please let the readers know we have a do-it-ourself report for couples and an Adoption Agency Guide to Romania that we would be happy to send to interested parties. Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Connecting with Romanian Children, PO Box 252, Fayetteville, NY, 13066. Mike Harder Fayetteville, NY" Tracey
46.10	DIY has many pitfalls	WFOV12::MOKRAY		`Thu Dec 06 1990 18:29`	23
	As one who has experienced do-it-yourself Romanian adoption and who has counselled on the phone with people attempting this method for the last 9 months, please beware of this. The situation in Romania is changing rapidly and recently I've unfortunately become aware of people who've fallen into the trap of many do-it-yourself projects -- they cost more than anticipated, they take longer than anticipated and they cause more trouble (stress) than anyone ever imagined. If anyone wants to attempt adoption from Romania, they should send me a mail message or call me and I'll be happy to tell you what I know. I'm still involved and interested in helping people. The 'general contractor' version of Romanian adoption is now becoming available too. Note that even this way it's cheaper and faster than almost any other adoptions I'm aware of. BTW, Daniela is doing just fine and at 14 months was just reevaluated as to development. At a year, she was 3 months behind. Now she seems almost all caught up and can charge ahead as much as she wants or needs. She is a happy, happy child with a regular schedule. In fact, all the children who've come from Romania share that blessing -- there's something to be said for orphanage training when young or else for being a survivor from a cruel and unusual system of child care. Dec. 21 there will be another 20/20 show about Romanian adoption. 10pm EST, Friday.